MONAGHAN DEFENDER MARK Connolly helped Dundee United book their place in the Scottish Premiership play-off final final, following an emphatic 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The 4-0 aggregate victory leaves Robbie Neilson’s side just two games away from a return to the Scottish Premiership as they prepare to meet either St Mirren or Hamilton Academical in the decider.

The 27-year-old Connolly, who is a former Ireland U21 international, played the full 90 minutes of the tie. He also featured in the first leg of his side’s semi-final clash with Inverness where they picked up a 1-0 win.

A Nicky Clark penalty added to Dundee United’s advantage in the second leg on Friday night before further goals from Osman Sow and Pavol Safranko put the contest beyond doubt.

Cork-born forward Aaron Doran started the game for Inverness and was substituted in the second half, while Derry’s Darren McCauley was on the bench.

Dundee United now gear up for the first leg of the final on Thursday at Tannadice, with the second leg coming up three days later.

“We were the team everyone was looking at in this tie but that swings now and we’re the underdogs,” Dundee United manager Neilson told BBC Sport after their semi-final victory.

“I was delighted to get through because that was the main objective, but we can’t think we’re there yet because it’s only half done.”

Connolly began his career with League of Ireland side Monaghan United before linking up with Wolves and later heading to Bolton, Crawley and Kilmarnock.

He joined Dundee United in January.

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